Events to mark Woodhorn disaster

A series of events have been planned at a Northumberland museum to commemorate the centenary of a pit disaster.

Early on the morning of Sunday, August 13, 1916, Woodhorn Colliery was rocked by a devastating underground explosion and the community left grief-stricken by the tragic loss of 13 men.

A commemorative trail has been produced to guide visitors around the displays and historic site, highlighting objects and buildings pertinent to the Woodhorn Disaster.

Visitors can also join staff for a daily organised guided tour of the former colliery site. Both the trail and tour conclude with a look at a revealing plan of the underground workings and the destruction wreaked by the huge gas blast.

Children’s activities will also take place.

And on Saturday, at 11am, visitors are invited to join with descendants and families of the men lost in the tragedy for a commemoration. The gathering will take place in the shadow of the pit wheels at the memorial statue to honour the victims of the disaster.

Speaking about the centenary activities, Interim Director Jo Raw said: “It is vitally important that we remember Woodhorn’s most significant accident, the tragic loss of life, and the enormous price paid by the families left behind.”